China builds Nigerian railway, 85% of project completed

The first modernized railway in Nigeria built by the Chinese has reached 100 kilometers, and is going to be completed by the end of the year. The railway between Abuja and the northern cosmopolitan city of Kaduna stands as an example of a one of its kind railway in the country, ahead of the other segments to be constructed in Nigeria.

Initially, workers faced challenges like water interference, and demolitions of estates but these have now been addressed. Government officials encouraged the workers handling the project to continue with the zeal and determination with which they started.

“So this segment is very very important, because it is the first success of the segments to be carried out by the federal government.” Nigerian Minister Of Transport Idris Abudullahi Umar said.

The railway is being constructed according to the first class national standard of Chinese railway for heavy load trains.

“I’m very sure we will complete the project in good time, and with high quality. As we say that construction of railway is very important. But the operation and management is very important for the success of the whole project. So now we have started the training of the staff, and do the feasibility study and proposal for the training, after we complete and hand over, deliver the railway to the Ministry of Transport. ” Shi Hongbing, managing director of CCECC Nigeria Ltd, said.

“Well about the Chinese standard, we had our share of difficulties and disagreements at the beginning, but at the end of the day, the result is the same. And definitely, the standard of construction is commendable, and is what the Nigerian government wants and what they are paying for.” Visinoni, Managing Director of Lagos Consultancy, said.

The project is under the Federal Ministry of Transport of Nigeria, and the consultancy is Italian company- Techniques Engineering Architecture Marketing Ltd.

According to the contract signed in 2006, the Nigeria railway modernization project includes a railway connecting Lagos and Kano in the north with two links. One of them is between Abuja and Kaduna, which has become the first segment being constructed. The whole distance is about 1,315 kilometres. The project started in February 2011, and should be completed by the end of this year.